CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Trump and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Shott urging them to explore the 24/7 Sobriety Program substance abuse recidivism initiative during the 2016 legislative session.

“My office continues to address the drug problem in West Virginia, but we recognize the issues facing our state are not something that we can tackle alone,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “As elected leaders serving the people of this state, we must explore ways to effectively work together to combat this public scourge.”

Attorney General Morrisey has been examining South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Program and its potential benefits for the Mountain State.

South Dakota’s attorney general pioneered the project and administers it to this day. The 24/7 Sobriety Program represents a cutting edge offender-funded, court-monitored initiative that focuses on repeat DUI offenders.

The initiative requires participants to submit routine alcohol breath tests and urine drug screens, while also employing use of the SCRAM ankle bracelet for nonstop monitoring of alcohol intake. Drug patches are used to test for drugs by collecting sweat samples.

The project has had a significant impact in lowering recidivism rates, while also serving the interest of public safety and saving money for states that have adopted the initiative.

“My office stands ready to assist these committees as they consider the 24/7 Sobriety Program, or any similar initiative that addresses these important issues,” Morrisey said.